ecoTOOLS has been on my radar for a while now, but it's not until make-up artist Lauren Parsons (who's worked with Mario Testino and Rosie Huntington Whiteley, as well as on campaigns for Alexander McQueen and Liberty) popped into my office yesterday to take me through the products that I really took note.

Unsurprisingly the brand has impressive eco credentials: the brush handles are made from sustainable bamboo; the incredibly soft bristles are made from synthetic taklon; while the casing on the travel brushes is recycled aluminium. The company is a member of 1% for the Planet® donating 1% of annual revenue to both EarthShare® and Wildlife Alliance. But, what is surprising is the price, considering the quality (each brush is shaped by hand) they are so affordable, proving you don't need to spend a fortune.

My top picks for starting out:

Retractable foundation brush, £9.99 - it's great for buffing in the foundation for an airbrushed finish, my Suqqu foundation has never looked so good.

Bamboo Kabuki Brush, £9.99 - forget that this looks like a shaving brush, use it to really blend your make-up especially on those days (read: hungover) when it just doesn't sit right. While the instructions say to use with powder, bronzer or blusher, Lauren uses it to buff in foundation for a dewy effect. Super versatile.

Deluxe Concealer brush, £5.61 - this is the perfect size and shape to get into those hard to reach areas - around the nose and inner eye.

Smudge Eyeliner Brush, £4.99 - Lauren loves this brush and has it in her own make-up bag (along with the deluxe concealer brush). She suggests drawing kohl liner along the lash line and using the smudging brush to blend the pencil, working the colour up and out for a super fast smoky eye. The sharpener at the other end is a genius addition.

Visit the website ecotools.com for more information and buy online at Boots.